Steve grew up in a single-parent family with a mom working two jobs to ensure her kids had food and clothing. He lived aware of all they lived without. It sometimes made him ashamed. Steve vowed that when he was an adult, he\u2019d always have what he needed.<\/p>\n
When Steve proposed to Rebecca, he told her he would dedicate his life to ensuring their family never knew want. The first 10 years of their marriage were satisfying and prosperous. Steve\u2019s business grew, and Rebecca worked part-time whenever she desired. God was faithful, and material needs never knocked on their manicured suburban home.<\/p>\n
No one saw the coronavirus coming.<\/p>\n
In a few short weeks, COVID-19 has flipped our society. We now live in a world where disease lurks around the corner, and for some, death isn\u2019t far behind. We practice self-quarantines and social isolation, resulting in major financial hardships for those who own and operate small businesses.<\/p>\n
The effect goes far beyond bank accounts by threatening the very existence of certain businesses. And that\u2019s just the financial picture; the personal one is equally tender. When roles, relationships, income, and daily rhythms are rearranged, it chews away at a person\u2019s self-worth.<\/p>\n
Imagine what happens when someone like Steve begins to experience this sweeping sense of loss.<\/p>\n
Over the last two weeks, the revenue from Steve\u2019s business has been in the toilet; the deleterious effects of the virus now threaten his company\u2019s existence. Steve and Rebecca once had money left over at the end of every month. Now Rebecca see lots of month left over at the end of their money.<\/p>\n
In one month, Steve\u2019s profits have tanked, and he has had to let employees go. Now he\u2019s up late at night, reading about financial assistance that may be available for LLCs and sole proprietors. Should he apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan<\/a>? Should he wait to see if even more federal assistance<\/a> is coming?<\/p>\n What\u2019s the path a person walks when COVID-19 threatens to kill their business<\/em>? Where does the soul go when Steve\u2019s greatest fear\u2014having his family experience financial need\u2014has come upon him?<\/p>\n Indulge me as I flesh out Steve\u2019s thoughts. As I do, we\u2019ll discover how God uses suffering\u2014even a global pandemic\u2014to invite us into a journey of questions, vulnerability, and ultimate purpose.<\/p>\n As his bank accounts dwindle, Steve begins to ask all the why<\/em> questions. Why did God allow this to happen? After all, Steve and Rebecca have given generously to their church and Christian causes; they\u2019ve served faithfully.<\/p>\n This sort of severe suffering feels unjust, and when he\u2019s honest, it makes Steve angry. He\u2019s been more irritable with Rebecca and his kids, more distant from God. Steve just can\u2019t seem to reconcile why God would allow this to happen\u2014particularly when everything was going so well.<\/p>\n Why? <\/em>is a question only God can answer, but nonetheless we waste enormous emotional energy dissecting it. All Christians in this pandemic stand before the carousel of why?<\/em> and must decide whether they will step aboard for that circular ride\u2014the one that steals our time and ultimately delivers us back to the same place.<\/p>\n To the question of w<\/em>hy?<\/em> there is one answer: faith. A confidence rooted in God\u2019s Word that he is good and is actively working in our suffering, even when answers elude us. Doubts stirred during pandemics must be met by faith, the kind that \u201cbelieve(s) that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him\u201d (Heb. 11:6<\/a>).<\/p>\n Some reading this article are there now\u2014the revenue is drying up, and it seems like the handwriting is on the wall. To make matters worse, God isn\u2019t explaining himself, and you\u2019re still on the carousel seeking answers to the why <\/em>question. God understands your doubts. He invites us to draw close to him and experience him as one who is real, one who is good, one who rewards those who seek him.<\/p>\n When the virus began to ravage Italy, Steve wondered what the effect would be here in the United States. He was afraid of what this could mean for his business. But he kept it bottled: I\u2019m probably overreacting<\/em>.<\/p>\n When his fears materialized, Steve knew he and his wife needed to work through this together. But honestly, Steve felt ashamed: If I get into the financial weeds with Rebecca, she\u2019ll know I\u2019ve failed. She\u2019ll know I\u2019m not the strong provider I promised to be. Rebecca will lose respect for me. She\u2019ll never look at me the same way, and I just can\u2019t handle that right now!<\/em><\/p>\n Rebecca had been worried, too. Until yesterday, Steve had assured her they\u2019d be fine. Last night, though, Steve whispered a prayer, opened his heart, swallowed hard, and quietly told Rebecca, \u201cWe need to talk.\u201d And oh boy, did they talk. Steve unpacked the financial effect, his fears, and the paralyzing shame he felt.<\/p>\n Rebecca listened intently and sized up the situation pretty quickly. Rebecca reminded Steve of their Lord who bore their shame upon the cross (Heb. 12:2<\/a>; 2 Cor. 3:4\u20135<\/a>). Rebecca reminded Steve that, because of Jesus, he is freed from the stigma of shame.<\/p>\n Rebecca also began to think of ways she could help. In her response, Steve saw that the gospel has true relevance, even in the throes of a pandemic, and that God is present with them in the midst of this turmoil. Through their humble vulnerability, God was teaching them to depend on him and be honest with each another.<\/p>\n1. Expect Doubt<\/h3>\n
2. Welcome the Weakness<\/h3>\n
3. Remember God\u2019s Promises<\/h3>\n